Greens say more is needed

The Greens have welcomed the latest review of Newcastle Buses but are concerned it may be too little too late without the State Government providing adequate funding to ensure that all routes can be made viable.

Newcastle Greens councillor, Ian McKenzie commended the efforts of Newcastle Buses to provide services that better meet the needs of Novocastrians but warns that State Government constraints may inhibit their ability to provide a cost-effective service that meets the needs of Greater Newcastle.

“With the existing budget and limited allowance of kilometres, it will be like drawing blood from a stone to provide the level of service that is needed to comprehensively meet Newcastle’s needs and address Climate Change imperatives by reducing fuel consumption and the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases,” Cr McKenzie said.

“Newcastle City Council has repeatedly called for the State Government to provide an integrated transport strategy for the Lower Hunter. This is absolutely vital if we are to meet our obligation to future generations to provide equitable and affordable transport options whilst minimising the environmental impacts,” Cr McKenzie said.

“It’s putting the cart before the horse providing a bus network and service plan outside the context of the integrated strategy context,” Cr McKenzie said.

Greens federal election candidate for Newcastle, Charmian Eckersley, says the Greens propose a National Transport Policy, which would re-direct federal funds from the more than $5 billion dedicated to road development each year into sustainable transport options.

“We don’t need to wait until our road system is choked like Sydney’s before we take positive steps to encourage people to use public transport. In fact, in the face of indisputable threats from Climate Change, we should take all possible steps to provide accessible, people-friendly, and affordable public transport options for virtually everyone within the Lower Hunter,” Ms Eckersley said.

“An equitable, accessible and affordable public transport service cannot be achieved if government buses are privatised. State Government should provide Newcastle a guarantee that it will not privatise the bus service. Provision of state-owned public transport should be expanded throughout the Lower Hunter, not further contracted,” Ms Eckersley said.

“Bus timetables and routes need to be integrated with one another and with trains. Buses should be equipped to carry bicycles and bicycle storage should be provided at appropriate bus stops,”
Ms Eckersley said.